Suction cleaner



D. G. SMELLIE SUCTION CLEANER Nov. 16, 1937.

NOV. 28, 2 s s 1 R O T N E V m 2 Dana/d 61 6722011119.

@ QTZEZMM Nov. 16, 1937. D. G. SMELLIE 2,099,378

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Nov. 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fionala'62 Smellz'e as %MM Patented Nov. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICESUCTION CLEANER Donald G. Smellie, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The HooverCompany, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November28, 1934, Serial No. 755,095

28 Claims.

,brush which forms a part of the suction cleaner.

More specifically the invention comprises the provision of automaticmeans to effect brush adjustment in a suction cleaner for the purpose ofextending the effective life of the brush element.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedsuction cleaner. It is another object of the invention to provide a newand improved suction cleaner provided with means to extend the effectivelife of the agitator brush element. A further object is the provision ina suction cleaner of means to adjust automatically the position of arotary agitating brush relative to the plane of the nozzle lips so thatthe decrease in the length of the brush bristles occasioned by wear willnot render thebrush inoperative. A still further object is the provisionof electrically actuated means to adjust automatically the height of anagitator element relative to the surface covering undergoing cleaning.Another object is the provision, in a suction cleaner nozzle, of arotary agitating brush in combination with automatic means to adjust theposition of that brush relative to the plane of the nozzle mouth. Astill further object is the provision in a suction cleaner, of meanswhich function automatically, upon decrease in brush bristle length, toadjust the agitator element to compensate for decrease in bristlelength. These and other more specific objects will appear upon readingthe following specification and claims and upon considering inconnection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is disclosed:

Figure 1 is a side view of a cleaner constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, certain parts being broken away and shown in section;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view with the top wall of the nozzlebroken away;

Figure 3 is a section through the nozzle, being taken upon the line 3-3of Figure 2, and shows the agitator-adjusting mechanism at one end ofthe nozzle in the new brush position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the position of theparts before adjustment (in dotted line), and after adjustment (in fulllines), the agitator brush being somewhat worn;

Figure 5 shows a view similar to Figure 4, but illustrates the finaladjustment of the agitator height relative to the nozzle with a wornbrush;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section through the ratchet cam, being takenupon the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

A preferred form of agitating element for a suction cleaner comprises anelongated brush 5 mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis.

i'he brush may be provided with continuous rows of bristles-or maycomprise spaced tufts of bristles. In the ordinary cleaner the agitatoris mounted fixedly within the cleaner nozzle. After 10 use for a periodof time suflicient to cause wear in the bristles so that they no longereffectively brush the surface,covering the agitator must be removed andreplaced by another. According to the present invention means areprovided which I automatically lower the agitator to compensate for thedecrease in bristle length thereby increasing brush life.

Referring again to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the inventionis shown. In its general form the cleaner is of a common and well knowntype, including a nozzle I interiorly being positioned within the casing9 immediately above the fan chamber. The cleaner body is I supported formovement over a surface-covering undergoing cleaning at its front end bya spaced pair of floor wheels l0, III, which are positioned within wheelpockets II, II formed by the side walls of air passageway 2 at the rearcorners of the nozzle l. The rear of the machine is supported by wheelsI2, I 2 of which one is shown in Figure 1, which are equipped withadjusting means l3 by which they may be raised and lowered relative tothe cleaner body for the purpose of pivoting the machine about the frontwheels as an axis to raise and lower the nozzle I,

and more particularly its surface-contacting front and rear lips I andI5, respectively, relative to the surface covering undergoing cleaning.A pivoted handle l6, which is bifurcated at its lower end and extendsupon both sides of the motor casing 9, provides means by which theoperator can propel the cleaner, and also serves as a means of 5conveyance for the incoming current-carrying leads I1, I! to the motor.

A rotary agitator l8 comprising a body in which P Jed tufts of bristlesl9, l9 are positioned, is

mounted within the nozzle I, being adapted to contact the surfacecovering undergoing cleaning between the nozzle lips I4 and I5. AgitatorI8 is provided at its ends with bearings 20, 2|] each of which isenclosed and clamped in a spring seat 2| positioned at the forward endof a pivoted supporting arm 22 which extends adjacent the side wall ofthe nozzle. The arm 22 at each end of the nozzle extends rearwardly intoa wheel pocket H where it is pivotally mounted by a pin 23 on the nozzleside wall. Each spring seat 2| opens downwardly and the agitator may beinserted and removed therefrom through the nozzle mouth between the lipsl4 and I5.

Agitator I8 is formed centrally with a pulley 24 which seats apower-transmitting belt 25 which extends rearwardly through airpassageway 2 and seats upon a driving pulley 26 positioned at the lowerend of motor shaft 3. In the operation of the cleaner the rotation ofthe motor shaft causes the rotation of the agitator.

In the ordinary suction cleaner the agitatorsupporting arms 22, 22 andthe seats 2|, 2| would be rigidly mounted. According to the presentinvention, however, means are included which automatically lower thesearms relative to the nozzle and its mouth, so that the agitator islowered as the length of the bristle tufts l3, l3 decreases.

According to the present invention each arm 22 is urged by a coil spring21 to the uppermost position permitted by a ratchet cam 28 which ispivotally mounted on the side wall of the nozzle by a pin 29, a springwasher 3|) functioning to retain frictionally the ratchet in a setposition against unintentional movement. The arm-contacting surface ofcam 28 is so shaped that with the cam rotated counter-clockwise, asviewed in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the supporting arm 22 is forced downwardlyagainst the force exerted by the spring 21. The ratchet cam 28 isprovided with spaced teeth along its upper surface.

To lower each arm 22 there is provided a pawl 3| the lower end of whichis adapted to contact the ratchet 28. Pawl 3| is pivotally mounted atits upper end upon a centrally pivoted arm 32, the arms 32, 32 at theopposite sides of the nozzle being connected at their forward ends by ashoe 33 which is smooth and curved upon its lower inner surface toconform substantially to the curvature of the agitator I8, the tufts Hof which are preferably helically arranged, as shown in Figures 1 and'2. A spring 34 at the pivot point of each arm 32 exerts a pivotingforce urging the arm in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed inFigures 3, 4 and 5, and so tends to force shoe 33 into contact with thebristles of the agitator. A second spring 35 carried by each armcontacts the pawl 3| and urges it about its pivot point in thedirection'of ratchet 28. At the rear end of each shoe-and-pawl carryingarm 32 is positioned an electrical solenoid 36, the movable armature 31of which is pivotally connected to the arm. Solenoid 36 is suitablyconnected to the incoming power leads l1, II, the precise electricalconnection of the solenoid in the motor circuit not being of the essenceof this invention. When the solenoid is unenergized the pivoting forceexerted by arm-pivoting spring 34 is suflicient to lower shoe 33 againstthe brush and to raise armature 31 within the body of solenoid 36. Withthe solenoid energized, however, its magnetic fields pulls the armature31 downwardly and pivots arm 32 to move shoe 33 from contact with thebrush, at the same time lowering pawl 3|.

In order that the ratchet 28 may be returned to the new brush positionwhen a new brush is inserted in the machine, a manually slidable pin 38,see Figure 6, is provided upon each ratchet which extends through anarcuate slot 33 in the adjacent side wall of the nozzle, a suitableplate 40 being carried by the pin so that the slot is closed and nounnecessary leakage of air takes place. To permit of the arh'ustment ofthe ratchet, without hindrance from its pawl, to the new brush position,a stud 4| isprovided. Stud 4| extends adjacent the pawl and is adaptedto support that member, which is itself provided with an ear whichextends adjacent the stud, when the arm 32 is pivoted to the lowestposition possible, as when no agitator is positioned within the nozzleor the length of the-agitator bristles is less than a desirable minimum,as clearly illustrated in Figure 5 in dotted lines. In such position theend of the pawl is supported free from the ratchet and that member maybe moved by means of the manually operable pin 38 without interferencefrom the pawl.

The agitator adjustment mechanism is positioned largely within the wheelpockets II, the arms 22 and 32 extending through suitable vertical slotsformed in the walls of the air passageway 2 immediately adjacent thenozzle side walls. To prevent unintended and unnecessary leakage of airthrough these slots from the wheel pockets into the nozzle there isprovided in each wheel pocket a removable metal casing member 42 whichencloses the operating mechanism within that pocket and forms a sealedclosure which is open to the interior to the nozzle through theaforementioned vertical slots.

The operation of the invention is best explained by reference to Figures3 to 6, inclusive. Upon the placing of a new large diameter long bristleagitator brush in the cleaner nozzle, and with the cleaner inoperative,the parts at each end of the nozzle will be related 'as indicated infull lines in Figure 3. The diameter of the new brush is indicated bydotted lines and the shoe 33 is shown contacting the brush periphery,being held in that contact by the spring 34 which urges the arm 32downwardly. The ratchet 28 is positioned in the new brush position andits cam surface, which contacts the agitator-supporting arm 22 is soshapedthat the arm 22 is in its uppermost position,- being held there bythe coil spring 21. The pawl 3| lies at the side of the first tooth ofratchet 28. The parts are so related that the agitator brush willproject the proper distance below or above the plane of the nozzle mouthas defined by the surface-contacting lips I4 and Upon the beginning ofcleaner operation the closing of the cleaner switch causes current topass through the cleaner motor and through each solenoid 36. Solenoidarmature 31 is pulled downwardlyby the magnetic field and the arm 32pivots from the full line to the dotted line position of Figure 3. Pawl3| slides downwardly at the side of the first tooth of ratchet 28 butdoes not rotate that member and the arm 22 remains in fixed position. Solong as the cleaner operates and current continues to pass throughsolenoid to hold the arm 32 so positioned the relationship remainsconstant.

During the use of the cleaner the shoe 33 remains out of contact withthe agitator, being held in the raised position by the solenoid. Whenthe machine is turned off the magnetic field breaks down releasingsolenoid 31 and the shoe 33 moves into contact with the brush, thespring 34 pivoting the arm 32 downwardly. If the diameter of the brushhas been sufliciently decreased by wear, as from its size in Figure 3 toits size in Figure 4, the shoe 33 will move to a lower position than inthe first instance and the pawl 3| will be raised higher. In this newposition the pawl moves above the top of the first tooth of the ratchetcam and under the urging of its pivoting spring 35 moves into contacttherewith, as shown in dotted line in Figure 4. When the cleaningoperation is again resumed, and solenoid 36 again energized, thedownward movement of armature 31 results in the pivotal movement of 32and the lowering of pawl 3|. The pawl this time, however, throughseating on the first tooth of the ratchet, pivots the ratchet from thedotted line to the full line position of Figure 4. The ratchet nowcontacts arm 22 at a new point on its cam surface which is further fromits point of rotation and arm-22 is pivoted downwardly against the forceof its spring 21. This sequence of operation repeats every time thecleaner is turned on and off but adjustment of ratchet 28 occurs onlywhen the pawl 3! has been raised sufliciently by the lowering of shoe 33to permit of its engagement with a new ratchet tooth. The cam surface ofcam 28 is so shaped that the rotation of the cam effected by pawl 3iseating on a new tooth lowers the arm 22 sufficiently to cause the brushbristles to extend to their lowest position possible before the wearoccurred.

The aforedescribed adjustment of the agitator height within the nozzleto compensate for bristle wear continues until the agitator has beenreduced in diameter to a point at which replacement is advisable. Such adiameter is illustrated in Figure 5. The pawl 3| is shown in fulllines,-

contacting the last tooth of the ratchet and that member has beenrotated to force the arm 22 into its lowest position. With the solenoidunenergized, as when the machine is not in operation, the arm 32 pivotsin a counter-clockwise direction to its lowest position. In thisposition the pawl 3| is supported by the stud 4i and its lower end willnot interfere with the manual rotation of ratchet 28, by use of pin 38,to the original new brush position, shown in Figure 3. This adjustmentis made in each ratchet at each end of the nozzle before the new brushis positioned in its seats. A new brush being inserted, the functionalrelationship is again as illustrated in Figure 3.

In the drawings the solenoids, with the accompanying mechanism, havebeen used at each end of the nozzle. It is obviously within the range ofthe invention to use only a single solenoid. The embodiment illustratedis but a preferred form and the invention is not limited thereto but islimited only as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A brush including bristles, means supporting said brush for movementtoward and from a surface, means to move said brush toward said surface,and means responsive to the change in length of said bristles to operatesaid last men-' tioned means. a

2. A rotary brush, means supporting said brush for movement toward andfrom a surface, means adapted to lower said brush, and means includingbrush-diameter-change-responsive means to operate said last mentionedmeans upon a predetermined decrease in brush diameter.

3. A supporting body, a rotary brush having bristles subject to wear,means responsive to change in the eflective diameter of said brush, andmeans affected by variation in said means to adjust said brush relativeto said body.

4. A supporting body, a rotary brush having bristles subject to wear, abrush diameter follower, and automatic means to adjust said brush to ameasured extent connected to and controlled by said follower. I

5. A supporting body, a rotary agitator including brush bristles, meansmounting said agitator for vertical adjustment relative to said body,

means to lower said agitator a predetermined extent, and meansresponsive to the change in length of said brush bristles to cause saidlast mentioned means to function.

6. In a suction cleaner, a body, a rotary brush, means mounting saidbrush on said body for movement toward and from a surface coveringundergoing cleaning, means responsive to change in the diameter of saidbrush, and means to move said brush toward said surface covering whensaid responsive means has moved a predetermined distance.

7. In a suction cleaner, a body, a rotary brush,

means varying position, in response to variations in the diameter ofsaid brush and movable toward said brush when said brush is inoperative,means to move said means from said brush during rotation, and meanscontrolled by said first means to adjust said brush relative to saidbody.

8. In a suction cleaner, a body, a rotary brush, means mounting saidbrush on said body for movement toward and from a surface coveringundergoing cleaning, and automatically operated means to effect alowering of said brush including an electric solenoid, adjustable meansto lower said brush in certain adjustments by a force exerted by saidsolenoid, and means responsive to change in diameter of said brushcontrolling the adjustment of said adjustable means.

9. In a suction cleaner, a nozzle, a rotary brush in said nozzle, apivoted arm supporting said brush in said nozzle, means to force saidarm downwardly to lower said brush including a ratchet cam and a pawlcooperating therewith, a second pivotally mounted arm carrying saidpawl, a brush-contacting shoe carried by said arm and means to pivotsaid second arm to move said pawl which is adaptedto actuate saidratchet cam at the beginning of a cleaning operation.

10. The construction recited by claim 9 characterized in that said shoemoves into contact with said brush at the end of a cleaning operation tolimit the pivotal movement of its carrying arm and the movement of saidpawl relative to said ratchet cam.

11. The construction recited by claim 9 characterized in that resilientmeans normally urge said shoe into contact with the surface of saidbrush and electrical means operative in the operation of the cleanerforce it therefrom.

12. In a suction cleaner, a. rotary brush, means movably mounting saidbrush, resilient means urging said brush upwardly, adjustable meanslimiting the upward movement of said brush, and means controlled byvariations in diameter of said brush to adjust said adjustable means tolower said brush.

13. In a suction cleaner, a rotary brush, means movably mounting saidbrush, spring means urgin'g said brush upwardly, a cam contacting saidmounting means and movable to force said means downwardly against theforce exerted by said spring means, means responsive to variations inthe diameter of said brush, cam-actuating means positioned by saidresponsive means and adapted to move said cam to an extent determined bythe position given it by said responsive means, and means to actuatesaid cam-actuating means to move said cam.

14. The construction set forth in claim 13 characterized in that saidlast mentioned means are operative at the beginning of each cleaningperiod.

15. In a suction cleaner, a body, a rotary agitator brush, a pivoted armmounting said agitator on said body, a spring urging said arm in onedirection, a ratchet-cam contacting said arm, said ratchet cam beingmovable to move said arm against the force exerted by said spring, apawl movable in one direction to move said ratchet through cooperatingwith the teeth thereof and movable in another direction relative to saidteeth, means to advance said pawl relative to said ratchet teeth uponpredetermined wear in said brush, and means to move said pawl to movesaid ratchet-cam after said pawl has advanced relative to said teeth.

16. In a suction cleaner, a body, a rotary agitator brush, a. pivotedarm mounting said agitator on said body, a spring urging said arm in onedirection, a ratchet-cam contacting said arm, said ratchet cam beingmovable to move said arm against the force exerted by said spring, apawl movable in one direction to move said ratchet through cooperatingwith the teeth thereof and movable in another direction relative to saidteeth, means including means responsive to variations in brush diametercontrolling the advance of said pawl relative to said teeth, andelectrically actuated means to move said pawl to move said ratchet camafter said pawl has advanced relative to said teeth.

17. The construction recited by claim 15 characterized in that means areprovided to re-position said ratchet-cam upon the replacement of abrush.

18. An agitator for suction cleaners including an element subjected towear in use resulting in decrease in size, means to alter the positionof said element to compensate for such decrease in size, and meansresponsive to such decrease in size to operate said last mentionedmeans.

19. An agitator for suction cleaners including a rotating agitatingelement subjected to wear in use resulting in decrease in size, means toalter the position of said eiement to compensate for such decrease insize, and means responsive to such decrease in size to operate said lastmentioned means.

20. An agitator for suction cleaners including an agitating elementrotatably mounted and adapted to contact a surface covering undergoingcleaning at one position in its path of rotation, said element beingsubjected to wear decreasing its effective radial extension from itscenter of rotation, means to adjust said element to compensate for wear,and means responsive to wear in said element to actuate said lastmentioned means.

21. The construction recited by claim in which said element is a brushcomprising bristles.

22. The construction recited in claim 20 in which the means responsiveto wear are actuated by an electric solenoid.

23. A brush including bristles, means supporting said brush for movementrelative to a surface, means to move said brush relative to saidsurface, and means responsive to change in length of said bristles tooperate said last mentioned means.

24. In a suction cleaner, an agitator including an element subjected towear in the operation of the cleaner, means responsive to change in saidelement, and means to adjust. said element to compensate for wearcontrolled by said responsive means. 7

25. The structure recited by claim 24 characterized in that means areprovided to move said responsive means into contact with said elementwith the cleaner inoperative and from contact with said element withsaid cleaner operative.

26. In a suction cleaner, an agitator including an element subjected towear in the operation of the cleaner, means responsive to change in saidelement, and means to effect a step-by-step adjustment of said elementto compensate for wear controlled by said responsive means.

27. In a suction cleaner, a body, a rotatable brush, means adjustablysupporting said brush on said body, means adapted to transmit a force tomove said brush relatively to said body and in- 28. In a suctioncleaner,a body, a rotatable brush, means movably mounting said brush on saidbody, means to adjust said brush relative to said body and to a surfacecovering undergoing cleaning including means to move said mountingmeans, a brush-diameter-change-responsive means controlling said lastmentioned means, and means to cause said responsive means to determinethe change in diameter of said brush with said brush standing.

DONALD G. SMELLIE.

